instill

verb in·still \in-ˈstil\

: to gradually cause someone to have (an attitude, feeling, etc.)

Full Definition of INSTILL

transitive verb

: to cause to enter drop by drop <instill medication into the infected eye>

: to impart gradually <instilling a love of learning in children>

— in·stil·la·tion \ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən, -(ˌ)sti-\ noun

— in·still·er \in-ˈsti-lər\ noun

— in·still·ment \-mənt\ noun

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See instill defined for kids

Origin of INSTILL

Middle English, from Latin instillare, from in- + stillare to drip, from stilla drop

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INSTILL

Synonyms: breed, enroot, inculcate, infix, inseminate, implant, plant, sow

Synonym Discussion of INSTILL

implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix mean to introduce into the mind. implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught <implanted a love of reading in her students>. inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind <tried to inculcate in him high moral standards>. instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time <instill traditional values in your children>. inseminate applies to a sowing of ideas in many minds so that they spread through a class or nation <inseminated an unquestioning faith in technology>. infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought <infixed a chronic cynicism>.

Rhymes with INSTILL

anthill, at will, backfill, ball mill, bluegill, Brazil, breast drill, cranesbill, crossbill, de Mille, dentil, de-skill, distill, doorsill, downhill, duckbill, dullsville, dunghill, fire drill, foothill, freewill, free will, gin mill, goodwill, gristmill, handbill, hawksbill, hornbill, Huntsville, ill will, Knoxville, lambkill, landfill, limekiln, manille, McGill, Melville, mixed grill, molehill, mudsill, Nashville, no-till, pep pill, per mill, playbill, pot still, pug mill, quadrille, red squill, refill, roadkill, sawmill, Schuylkill, self-will, Seville, sheathbill, shoebill, show bill, sidehill, sigil, spadille, spoonbill, stabile, standstill, stock-still, storksbill, T-bill, treadmill, true bill, twin bill, twist drill, until, uphill, vaudeville, waxbill, waybill, windchill, windmill, Zangwill

INSTILL Defined for Kids

instill

verb in·still \in-ˈstil\

in·stilledin·still·ing

Definition of INSTILL for Kids

: to put into the mind little by little <Patience with the ways of nature had been instilled in her by her father. — Jean Craighead George, Julie of the Wolves>

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